Ochlerotatus punctor

Appearance

Head: Maxillary palps are shorter than the proboscis

Thorax: Prespiracular setae are absent; scutum without a pair of submedian stripes; hypostigmal area without scales; postprocoxal scale patch present

Abdomen: Abdominal terga with basal, pale bands on more than half the segments; "pointed" abdomen

Tarsi: Dark; hind tarsomeres without pale bands;

Naming

Synonym: Aedes punctor

Distribution

A circumpolar species with a widespread distribution throughout Europe; very common in Scandinavia

Habitat

Oc. punctor is a cold stenotherm and is particularly abundant in the northern and mountainous regions.

Reproduction

It appears to be univoltine, but may have several hatching phases from late winter through early fall. The egg is the overwintering stage; autogenesis has been reported.

Food

Females bite all warm-blooded vertebrates and are mostly active at dusk, but can also bite during the day.